Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1887-01-20
The TRAMP'S SACRIFICE.
BY J. f. F.

July, Wellington OeymOur btoOu Dy MS
front gate, resting himself after hard
days labor in the harvest field, by watch
ing the people who passed on the road.
They ali bowed or spoke to him; no man
in the town was more highly respected or
better known. He was its Supervisor, and
q deacon of the church over the hill; he
owned an hundred acres of valuable land,
which he worked himself, and the pretty
frame house just behind him. His wife
was ut this time sitting on the piazza, and
their only child, Winnie, was racing up
and down it, somewhat boisterous with the
high spirits of childhood. The family and
the help had eaten supper, and all were
enjoying in their own way the beautiful
summer hour between sunset and darkness.
Wellington Seymour was forty-six years
old. His hands were hard with toll; for,
though rich and prosperous, he was one of
those who deem manual labor divinely
imposed duty. He was bronzed and sun
burned with exposure; and the trials and
duties of life, as we'll as its sorrows, had
given grave and thoughtful aspect TO his
face. An observer would have added ten
years 10 his real age. The few people in
such rural neighborhood as this who were
accustomed to study character by the fea-
lures had seen that there was something
more than gravity in Mr.. Seymours face.
There was q restlessness about his eye.
Sometimes he started upon hearing an un-
familiar voice. While the fact had not be-
come subject Of remark, it had certainly
been noticed by these few that Mr.. Sey-
mour did not often appear TO be at ease.
AS he conunueu 70 sIano ll...ln AZ MS Ge'e, .
nor spoke to him. He was a stranger,
clothed in tat.ered and dusty garments.
He walked slowly past, using long staff,
and appearing very much fatigued. His
hair and beard were long and unkempts his
face bore the unmistakable marks Of dissi-
patton and excess. He was, in short, q
tramp; one of n class which Mr.. Seymour
hated-or would have hated had his Chris
tian principles allowed such feeling. He
looked coldly at the man as he went by,
merely observing thath he was tramp, with
out taking particular note of his face. He
did not see that the man stared hard at him,
after he had turned his eyes from the un-
pleasant object. The man walked rod
past the gate, and then suddenly wheeled
and came back. He stood right in front OF
the farmer and leaned heavily on his staff.
Sir" he said, 81 am very tired and very
hungry. Will you feed me, and lodge me
to-night?"
piled. "You know the penalties you are
yes, know" the wayfarer cried. His
dark eyes snapped viciously, and there was
a ring to his voice that startled Mr.. Sey-
mour. Il am an outcast, an Ishmaelite-
not because am vicious, but because am
vicious and poor. The law makes it on
offense to be poor, If you are bad. Perhaps
it is right; but I'm too much exhausted
now even to talk about such things.
appeal to you as q man TO help a fellow
man in distress. Twenty-Five miles have
walked to-day; nothing have eaten since
noon. have been refused relief at half {
dozen farm houses, and whipped off from
wagons where tried to get rest for my
poor bruised feet. Welfare you heart
less, too2"
Those piercing black eyes were fixed OF
he farmers face, with an expression tina
iaunts him to this day. A very brie
struggle in his breast ended by his throw
ng open the gate.
SCome in, poor fellow" he said. "Tl
axe care of you till tomorrow"
The tramp entered. A few words from
he farmer to his wife explained the matte
0 her, and she went to the kitchen TO pro
ide something for the poor waif to eat
he man went to the pump, washed him
elf, brushed off the dust, and then wen
ato the kitchen and sat down TO the table
The meal that he ate may have IFS parable
among those of his kind; the Seymou
homestead had certainly never witnessed
such q consumption of provisions by one
person. While he was eating, little Win
| ME came into the kitchen, and, with tn
confidence that is natural TO some children
went up to him and laid her hand on hi
arm. He looked at her kindly.
"What is your name, little one?" b.
asked.
"Winifred. They call me Winnie, 70
short"
| He wiped his mouth-and, most unro
mantle in this connection, but Ger
tainly true, there was q tear in hi
eve, which he dashed away with the bacl
of his hand. OF what could he be think
ing? Perhaps, of his own youthful day
of innocence; perhaps, OF words read lonl
ago, but lately forgotten-"for Of such
the kingdom of heaven"
"Would you kiss me, WINNER"
She looked up into his fierce, bearde
face, and found very tender expression i
his eyes, and she kissed him without hesi
tation.
The mothers heart was also softened b
this little episode; SO, when the man ha
finished his meal, she said to him:
Il will make you up bed on the hooi
in the room above this"
"You are very kind, ma'am," he replied
shut, really, don't think 1 could sleep !
q made-up bed. SO many years as ~
slept in a hammock at sea, and on th
ground under the tuees in foreign lands
and in the fence corners and in hay-lofi
in nv own country, have just about unfitte
me for sleeping like Christian, in clea
bed. Your husband can show me the wa
TO the barn, and I'll warrant that get
nights rest there"
Mrs. Seymour left him sitting there whe
she had removed the dishes and gorI